U.S. patent number 6,715,804 [Application Number 10/354,832] was granted by the patent office on 2004-04-06 for fisherman's knot tier.
Invention is credited to Daniel James Beers.
United States Patent |
6,715,804 |
Beers |
April 6, 2004 |
Fisherman's knot tier
Abstract
Most of the present knot tying devices require the mechanical or
manual sliding of the leader or line from some object such as a
nail or tube onto a leader or line. This invention does not require
such a transfer. The Fisherman's Knot Tier in accordance with the
present invention looks and works similar to a retractable
ballpoint pen with an alligator clip or modified alligator
clip/cutter attached. When a line is placed in the exposed slot in
the shaft, and the shaft is retracted into the tip, cone or insert,
the line is secured. The jaws of the alligator clip or modified
alligator clip/cutter holds the hook or similar article during the
knot tying operation. The cutter portion of the clip/cutter is used
to trim excess leader or line from the hook or similar article
after the knot tying process is complete. The jaws of the alligator
clip or modified alligator clip/cutter also doubles as a clip to
hold the knot tier in a shirt or vest pocket.
Inventors: |
Beers; Daniel James (Salmon,
ID) |
Family
ID: |
30002876 |
Appl.
No.: |
10/354,832 |
Filed: |
January 29, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
289/17; 289/18.1;
43/4 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A01K
91/04 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A01K
91/04 (20060101); A01K 91/00 (20060101); D03J
003/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;289/1.2,1.5,17,18.1
;7/106 ;43/1,4,43.16 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Welch; Gary L.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Beers; Daniel J.
Parent Case Text
This application is based on provisional application No.
60/393,543, filed Jul. 5, 2002
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A knot tying device with an alligator clip attached thereto
including: upper and lower elongated hollow bodies or barrels with
longitudinal bores throughout to house a lower retractable tubular
piston or shaft, an upper piston or button and a spring with said
barrels being joined together by internal and external threads or
overlapping glueable joints, the lower barrel may be tipped with an
insert to aid in holding a leader or line during a knot tying
process the upper barrel having said alligator clip attached
thereto to hold a hook, swivel, artificial fly or lure during the
knot tying process; a lower retractable internally spring mounted
tubular piston or shaft slidably constrained within the bores of
the upper and lower barrels and having an angled slot cut near the
distal end of the tubular piston or shaft with the slot in said
shaft to help hold a free end of a line or leader to the tip of the
barrel when the leader or line is placed in said slot and said
shaft is retracted into said barrels allowing said line or leader
to be secured between said slot and the tip end of the lower barrel
or the external end of the insert with pressure being applied by
means of a spring encircling said tubular piston or shaft with said
shaft having lugs or a spring stop located along the shaft with
said lugs or spring stop allowing contact between the barrels and
said shaft by means of said spring with said spring stop being
formed by lugs, a shoulder, or some other attachment to the shaft
and with the proximal end of said shaft fitting into said bore in
the upper piston or button; wherewith said tubular piston or shaft
in conjunction with the end of said lower barrel or the external
end of the insert will hold the free end of the line or leader
during the knot tying process; said upper piston or button being
slidably constrained in the distal end of said upper barrel with
said piston having a short bore located longitudinal and centered
in the piston to accommodate the proximal end of said lower tubular
piston or shaft with said upper piston having a reduction in
diameter to form said button and said reduction forming a stop or
shoulder that will make contact with the shoulder of the terminal
bore in said upper barrel when said tubular piston or shaft is
retracted into said upper and lower barrels by means of said spring
wherewith said upper piston or button is used to activate said
lower tubular piston or shaft during the knot tying process; said
spring encircling said lower tubular piston or shaft with one end
of said spring contacting the spring stop or tugs on said lower
tubular piston or shaft and the other end of said spring making
contact with said shoulder created by the terminal bore in the
lower barrel or the internal end of said insert in the terminal
bore in said lower barrel, said spring allowing said lower piston
or shaft to be projected or retracted by compressing or
decompressing said spring with applied pressure to said button;
wherewith said spring applies pressure to said lower tubular piston
or shaft which in turn by means of said slot in said shaft holds or
secures said free end of the line or leader to said tip end or
external end of the insert in said lower barrel during the knot
tying process; said tip end created by the terminal bore in said
lower barrel or an insert placed in the terminal bore will allow
said lower tubular piston or shaft to move freely in a longitudinal
manner through said bore or said insert with sufficient tolerance
to secure said free end of the line or leader when placed in the
slot in the distal end of said piston or shaft wherein said shaft
is retracted into said lower and upper barrels by means of one end
of said spring exerting pressure on said shoulder of said terminal
bore in said lower barrel or said internal end of said insert and
the other end of said spring exerting pressure on said lugs or
spring stop located on said lower tubular piston or shaft;
wherewith said tip end of said lower barrel or the external end of
said insert and slot in said lower tubular piston or shaft act
together to hold or secure said free end of the line or leader
during the knot tying process; said alligator clip attached or
secured to said upper barrel and defined as having an upper and
lower opposing u-shaped jaws joined together at a pivot point by a
pivot pin with arms extending from said jaws distal to said pivot
to allow opening and closing of the jaws against spring pressure
with said spring pressure coming from a spring wound around said
pivot pin and said spring having opposite ends in contact with each
opposing arm and said spring holding said jaws in bias with one
another when at rest wherewith said alligator clip being used to
securely hold a hook, swivel, artificial fly or lure during the
knot tying process whereby said alligator clip doubles as a clip to
hold said knot tying device in a shirt or pocket.
2. A knot tying device as recited in claim 1, wherein said
alligator clip is replaced with a modified alligator clip
comprising; said modified alligator clip attached or secured to
said upper barrel and defined as having an upper and lower opposing
flat and or u-shaped jaws, said jaws having smooth or serrated
edges and joined together at a pivot point by a pivot pin, said
u-shaped arms extending from said jaws distal to said pivot with
said arms formed in such a way as to allow said arms to fit one
inside of each other with tolerances sufficient enough to allow
shearing or cutting action when said arms are depressed against
spring pressure with said spring pressure being applied by a spring
encircling said pivot pin, said spring having opposite ends in
contact with each opposing arm holding said arms apart when at rest
and also holding said jaws in bias with one another when at rest
wherewith said jaws are opened so that when said arms are relaxed
against spring tension said jaws are closed to enable said
alligator clip to hold a hook, swivel, artificial fly or lure
during the knot tying process and when said arms are depressed are
used to trim excess line or leader from said free end of the line
or leader with a shearing action after the knot tying process is
completed with said alligator clip also doubling as a clip to hold
said knot tying device in a shirt or pocket.
3. A knot tying device as recited in claim 1, wherein said lower
tubular piston or shaft and said upper piston or button is made in
one piece or in several pieces.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
Not Applicable
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
Not Applicable
REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM
LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIX
Not Applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In fishing, especially the art of fly fishing, to be successful,
the fisherman must be able to change to different flies, hooks or
similar article depending on the water conditions and upon what
insect or hatch the fish are feeding on. During the course of time
on the water, the angler may change flies, hooks, or similar
article many times. Because of these numerous changes, it is
desirable to be able to tie a secure knot in a timely and efficient
manner. Each time the fly, hook or similar article is changed, the
leader or line is shortened. To decrease tying time and minimize
this loss of line or leader, a convenient and easy to use tool
needed to be invented.
A number of special devices have been suggested for assisting
anglers and others in the knot tying process. Most of the present,
knots tying devices require the mechanical or manual sliding of the
leader or line from some object such as a nail or tube onto a
leader or line. This invention does not require such a transfer.
Descriptions of some of prior art knot tying devices are contained
in the following list; whish list is not all-inclusive but merely
representative. U.S. Pat. No. 2,758,858 Smith Aug. 15, 1956
Knot-Tying Implement U.S. Pat. No. 2,895,478 Post Jul. 21, 1959
Suture-Tying Instrument U.S. Pat. No. 2,926,036 Wimberley Feb. 23,
1960 Fisherman's Knot Tying Tool U.S. Pat. No. 4,101,152 Gardipee
Jul. 18, 1978 Fisherman's Knot tying Tool U.S. Pat. No. 4,864,762
Cox Sep. 12, 1989 Line Tying Device U.S. Pat. No. 4,899,482 Gerdes
Feb. 13, 1990 Multi-Utility Fishing Tool U.S. Pat. No. 5,557,874
Pietrandrea et al. Sep. 24, 1996 Multi-Purpose Fishing Tool U.S.
Pat. No. 5,951,067 High Sep. 14, 1999 Knot tyer U.S. Pat. No.
6,061,858 Shepard May 16, 2000 Fishing Device U.S. Pat. No.
6,272,709 Strini Aug. 14, 2001 Combination Forceps and Knot Tying
Device
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The Fisherman's knot tier, in accordance with the present
invention, includes, in general, two elongated hollow bodies or
barrels joined together by circular internal and external threads
or an overlapping glueable joint and reductions in diameter with a
coil expansion spring-mounted tubular piston or shaft, and a second
piston/push button therein and an alligator clip or modified
alligator clip/cutter mounted thereon.
The upper barrel has internally mounted threads or an overlapping
glueable joint at one end of the elongated hollow body. The upper
barrel also contains a terminal bore located longitudinally and
centered at the distal end of the barrel from the
internally-mounted threads or overlapping glueable joint. This
terminal bore located therein creates a shoulder. An alligator clip
or modified alligator clip/cutter is attached to the outer surface
of the upper barrel near the terminal bore.
The lower barrel has externally recessed threads or a reduction in
diameter located at one end of the elongated hollow body. The
recessed threads or a reduction in diameter also creates a
shoulder. A tapered end is located longitudinally on the distal end
of the lower elongated hollow body from the externally mounted
recessed threads or reduction in diameter. The lower elongated
hollow body also has a longitudinal terminal bore at the tapered
end of the body. The terminal bore located therein creates a
shoulder. The lower barrel may or may not have a rubber finger grip
attached to the outer surface. The lower barrel may or may not
contain an insert in the tapered end of the barrel.
The upper and lower barrels have two pistons slidably mounted and
constrained within them.
The coil expansion spring-mounted tubular piston or shaft housed
within the upper and lower barrels, has lug members or a stop
located near one end of the tubular piston or shaft and a slot
located near the same end of the tubular piston or shaft. The slot
is cut to a depth of 1/2 to 2/3 the diameter of the tubular piston
or shaft. This slot is at an incline less than 90 degrees measured
from the long longitudinal side of the tubular piston or shaft. The
end opposite the slotted end of the tubular piston or shaft fits
into a bore in the second or upper piston.
A coiled expansion spring encircles the slotted end of the tubular
piston or shaft. One end of the coiled expansion spring abuts the
lugs or stop on the tubular piston or shaft and the other end abuts
the shoulder created by the terminal bore, or the shoulder of an
insert, if so equipped, in the lower elongated hollow body.
The upper piston housed within the upper and lower barrels has a
bore centered and extending on the longitudinal axis into one end
of the upper piston a short distance. At the opposite longitudinal
end of the piston, a reduction in diameter creates a shoulder and
push button.
The clip/cutter, in accordance with the present invention, in
general, is a modified alligator clip with cutting surfaces
thereon. The clip/cutter consists of two jaws hinged together by a
common pivot pin, with suitable ears being provided to hold the pin
and the ears are extended to provide U-shaped arms for a
continuation of the jaws. The U-shaped arms are to actuate the jaws
and incorporate the cutting edges. A coil spring, wound around the
pivot pin, has opposite ends in contact with each of the U-shaped
arms to keep the jaws in bias and towards each other.
The U-shaped jaw on the upper half of the clip has serrated teeth
to aid in holding a fishhook or similar article therein, or
clipping the Knot tier in a shirt or vest pocket. The U-shaped arm
of the upper half of the clip has two cutting surfaces that may be
flat or ground at an incline to the horizontal axis of the jaw
located thereon.
The jaw on the lower half of the clip is smooth and curved to allow
for easy attachment of the clip to the upper barrel and aid in
holding a fishhook or similar article therein, or for easily
clipping the Knot tier in a shirt or vest pocket. The U-shaped arm
of the lower half of the clip has two cutting surfaces that may be
flat or ground at an incline to the horizontal axis of the U-shaped
arm.
DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING
Further objectives and advantages of the invention will be better
understood by reference to the following description in connection
with the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 A plan view of the knot tier of the persent invention with
the tubular piston or shaft retracted with the upper and lower
barrels joined together by internal and external threads.
FIG. 2 A plan view of the knot tier of the present invention with
the tubular piston or shaft extended, and the upper and lower
barrels joined by an overlapping glueable joint and a reduction in
diameter, and with an insert in place.
FIG. 3 A left end plan view of the knot tier of the present
invention. a. With hidden lines shown b. With hidden lines not
shown.
FIG. 4 A right end plan view of the knot tier of the present
invention. a. With hidden lines shown b. With hidden lines not
shown
FIG. 5 A plan view of the attached clip/cutter of the present
invention. a. Left-end view b. Side view c. Right-end view
FIG. 6 A successive schematic diagrams illustrating the knot tying
process using the Fisherman's Knot Tier.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring now more particularly to the drawings, reference numerals
are used to denote like parts or structural features in the
different views. While a particular embodiment of the invention has
been shown and described, it will be understood that the invention
is not limited hereto, since modifications may be made that will
become apparent to those skilled in the art. A knot tier 60,
embodying the principles of the present invention, is shown in
FIGS. 1-5 of the drawing to illustrate the presently preferred
embodiment of the invention. The Fisherman's knot tier 60, in
accordance with the present invention, includes, in general, two
elongated hollow bodies, or barrels 1 and 20. The two barrels 1 and
20 are joined together by circular internal 2 and external 22
threads or an overlapping glueable joint 12 and a reduction in
diameter 13 with a coil expansion spring-mounted lower tubular
piston or shaft 23 and a second upper piston 3 therein and an
alligator clip or modified alligator clip/cutter 40 mounted
thereon.
The barrels 1 and 20 have two pistons 3 and 23 slidably mounted and
constrained within the two elongated hollow bodies or members 1 and
20.
The upper barrel 1 has internally mounted threads 2 or an
overlapping, glueable joint 12 at one end of the elongated hollow
body 1. The upper barrel 1 also contains a terminal bore 4 located
longitudinally and centered at the distal end of the barrel 1 from
the internally mounted threads 2 or an overlapping, glueable joint
12. This terminal bore 4 located therein creates a shoulder 5. An
alligator clip or modified alligator clip/cutter 40 is attached to
the outer surface of the upper barrel 1 near the terminal bore
4.
The lower barrel 20 has externally-recessed threads 22 or a
reduction in diameter 13 located at one end of the elongated hollow
body 20 and the recessed threads 22 or a reduction in diameter 13
also create a shoulder 24. A tapered end 26 is located
longitudinally on the distal end of the lower elongated hollow body
20 from the externally mounted recessed threads 22 or a reduction
in diameter 13. The lower elongated hollow body 20 also has a
longitudinal terminal bore 25 at the tapered end 26 of the body 20.
The terminal bore 25 located therein creates a shoulder 28. The tip
27 of the lower barrel 20 may be formed by a cone or insert.
The tubular piston or shaft 23 has lug members or stop 31 located
near one end 29 of the tubular piston or shaft 23, and a slot 30
located near the same end 29 of the tubular piston or shaft 23. The
slot 30 is cut to a depth of 1/2 to 2/3 the diameter of the tubular
piston or shaft 23. The slot is cut at an incline of less than 90
degrees measured from the long longitudinal side 32 of the tubular
piston or shaft 23. The end 6 opposite the slotted end 29 of the
tubular piston or shaft 23 fits into a bore 7 in the upper piston
3.
The upper piston 3 has a bore 7 centered and extending on the
longitudinal axis into one end of the upper piston 3 a short
distance. At the distal longitudinal end 11 of the upper piston 3,
a reduction in diameter 9 creates a shoulder 8 and push button
10.
A coiled expansion spring 21 encircles the slotted end 29 of the
tubular piston or shaft 23. One end of the coiled expansion spring
21 abuts the lugs or stop 31 on the tubular piston or shaft 23 and
the other end abuts the shoulder 28 created by the terminal bore 25
in the lower elongated hollow body 20 or the end of the insert
27.
When the button 10 is pressed, the longitudinal transfer of motion
to the tubular piston or shaft 23 causes the lugs or stop 31 on the
tubular piston or shaft 23 to exert pressure on one end of the coil
expansion spring 21. This longitudinal transfer of motion in turn
depresses the other end of the coil expansion spring 21 against the
shoulder 28 of the terminal bore 25 within the lower elongated
hollow body 20 or the end of the insert 27. This continued transfer
of motion forces the slotted end 29 of the tubular piston or shaft
23 to protrude beyond the distal end, cone or insert 27 of the
lower elongated hollow body 20.
When pressure on the button 10 is released the opposing
longitudinal transfer of motion created by the coil expansion
spring 21 against the shoulder 28 of the terminal bore 25 within
the lower elongated hollow body 20 or the end of the insert 27, and
longitudinal transfer of motion against the lugs or stop 31 on the
tubular piston or shaft 23 created by the coil expansion spring 21,
cause the tubular piston or shaft 23 to recede back into the lower
elongated hollow body 20. When this transfer of motion is completed
the slot 30 located near the tip, cone or insert 27 of the tubular
piston, or shaft 23, will no longer protrude beyond the tip, cone
or insert 27 of the lower elongated hollow body 20.
A clip/cutter 40, in accordance with the present invention, in
general, is a modified alligator clip 40 with cutting surfaces 46,
56, 48, and 58 thereon. The clip/cutter 40 consists of two jaws 41
and 42 hinged together by a common pivot pin 44, with suitable ears
43 and 53 being provided for that purpose. The ears 43 and 53 are
extended to provide U-shaped arms 47 and 49 for a continuation of
the jaws 41 and 42. The U-shaped arms 47 and 49 are to actuate the
jaws 41 and 42 and incorporate the cutting edges 46 and 56 with
cutting edges 48 and 58. A coil spring 45, wound around the pivot
pin 44, has opposite ends in contact with each of the U-shaped arms
47 and 49 to keep the jaws 41 and 42 in bias and towards each
other.
The U-shaped jaw 41 on the upper half of the clip 40 has serrated
teeth 50 to aid in holding a fishhook or similar article therein or
for clipping the Knot tier 60 in a shirt or vest pocket. The
U-shaped arm 47, of the upper half of the clip 40, has two cutting
surfaces 46 and 56 that are flat or may be ground at opposite
inclines to the horizontal axis of the upper jaw 47 located
thereon.
The jaw 42 on the lower half of the clip 40 is smooth and curved to
allow for attachment of the clip to the upper barrel and ease of
clipping the Knot tier 60 in a shirt or vest pocket and to aid the
upper U-shaped jaw 41 in holding a fishhook or similar article
therein. The U-shaped arm 49 of the lower half of the clip 40 has
two cutting surfaces 48 and 58 which are flat or may be ground at
opposite inclines to the horizontal axis of the lower U-shaped arm
49. The inclines or flat surfaces 46 and 56 of the upper arm 47 and
the meshing inclines or flat surfaces 48 and 58 of the lower arm 49
are at the same angle to create a shearing action when the U-shaped
upper and lower arms 47 and 49 are forced together.
When pressure is applied to the upper U-shaped arm 47 of the clip
40, the upper U-shaped arm 47 of the clip 40 is forced toward the
U-shaped lower arm 49 of the clip 40 as they pivot around the pivot
pin 44. This action opens the jaws 41 and 42, while at the same
time forces the cutting edges 46 and 56, and the cutting edges of
48 and 58 of the U-shaped arms 47 and 49 together in a shearing
action. When the pressure to the upper U-shaped arm 47 of the clip
40 is released, the opposing pressure caused by the action of the
coil spring 45 returns the jaws 41 and 42 to the closed biased
position and the U-shaped arms 47 and 49 to the open position.
This invention has been described in detail with reference to a
particular embodiment thereof but it will be understood that
various other modifications can be effected within the scope and
spirit of the invention. It will also be understood that various
omissions, substitutions and changes in the form and details of the
device and its operation can be made by those skilled in the art
without departing from the spirit of the invention. These might
include but not limited to modifications made during manufacture to
make each part of this invention workable in the manner for which
it is intended.
OPERATION
The invention can be used in several ways. The following explains
four possibilities. Referring to FIGS. 6A through E of the drawings
the operation of the invention will be described.
A. To Tie a Leader or Line to a Hook. While holding the knot tier
in one hand, place the curve of the fishing hook in the jaws of the
clip on the knot tier so the shank and eye of the hook are pointing
in the direction of the distal end of the body (FIG. 6A). Thread
the line or leader through the eye of the hook (FIG. 6A). With the
other hand, grasp the end of the line between the thumb and index
finger allowing 1 inch to 11/2 inches of the end of the line to
protrude beyond the finger and thumb (FIG. 6A). Grasp the other
portion of the line in the same hand allowing the two lines to run
parallel to the body of the tier with enough line to extend beyond
the tip end of the instrument (FIG. 6A). Move the tip so it is
positioned between the two parallel lines or leaders (FIG. 6A).
While continuing to hold the line turn the entire instrument in a
wobbling action around the grip of the two lines, this will allow
the two portions of the line to wind around each other (FIG. 6B).
(This wobbling motion around an axis is sometimes called nutation.)
After completing 5 or 6 turns, depress the push button to expose
the slot in the end of the tier (FIG. 6C). Insert the end of the
line into the slot far enough to allow a good "grasp" when the push
button is released. Hold the line in the slot while releasing
pressure on the push button (FIG. 6C). The end of line will be
secured between the slot and the end of the tire body. Release the
end of the line between the finger and the thumb. Pull on the other
portion of the line already secured in the same hand to remove the
slack in the line (FIG. 6D). While continuing to pull the line,
release the hook from the clip to allow the hook to be pulled
toward the tip of the tier as the line is tightened (FIG. 6D). When
the eye of the hook reaches the end of the tier hold the hook
securely about 1/8 of an inch from the point of the tier (FIG. 6D).
While holding the hook at this position, continue pulling the line
until the line is securely cinched around the eye of the hook.
Release the end of the line secured by the slot and body by
depressing the push button. The knot has been tied. The excess line
protruding from the eye of the hook can be trimmed by using the
clip/cutter. This can be accomplished by placing the end of the
line into the cutter at the desired trim length and holding it
there while opening the clip (closing the cutter). The line should
not be trimmed closer than 1/16 of an inch from the eye of the
hook.
B. To tie a leader or line to a swivel. Tying a line to a swivel is
similar to tying a line to a hook. The only difference is that the
swivel needs to be securely held by the jaws of the clip in such a
way as to allow the threading of the line through one eye of the
swivel.
C. To tie a leader or line to a lure. Tying a line to a lure is
similar to tying a line to a hook. The only difference is that the
lure needs to be securely held by the jaws of the clip in such a
way as to allow the threading of the line through the eye or ring
of the lure.
E. To cut the hook from the line or leader when a clip/cutter is
attached. Place the eye of the hook close to the cutter so the
leader or line is cut when the cutter is activated.
* * * * *